We don't share similar principles with the EFF - Mmusi Maimane

The DA leader explains why the party failed to reach an agreement with the Economic Freedom Fighters in Tshwane and Johannesburg.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane says the party did not agree to a formal coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Tshwane and Johannesburg because they do not share the same principles.

On Thursday, the red berets said they will abstain from voting with other political parties - including the DA and the African National Congress - in municipalities where it is represented.

Maimane says it is not right for the EFF, as the third-largest party, to demand mayorship in the region.

We never entered into a formal coalition with the EFF precisely because we don't share similar principles. We negotiated a coalition agreement with a number of parties to work together because we agreed on a number of policies and a plan of government. The EFF is neither signatory to that.

Mmusi Maimane - DA leader

When we talk about power sharing we must understand how that works, what its implications are, rather than simply saying it is about positions - giving this one a position or that position. That is poor form of coalition negotiation.